Summary
$35
7-day fee
1 live
Camera
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is May–October, when around 67% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for December–February.
Plan Your Visit
Flash Flood & Slot Canyon SafetyCheck forecast first▾
Park Entrance & Zion Canyon ShuttleOpen · $35▾
Main Access
Open Year-Round
South Entrance, Springdale, UT (via SR-9)
Zion Canyon Visitor Center sits right at the South Entrance. The Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway and Kolob Canyons/Terrace Roads stay open to personal vehicles year-round.
💡 The Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel restricts oversized vehicles — RVs and buses over certain dimensions need a traffic-control escort ($15 fee, valid 2 days).
NPS directions ↗
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Shuttle Only, Mar 7 – Nov 28
Mandatory shuttle during peak season
Personal vehicles are banned from Zion Canyon Scenic Drive for most of the year — park at the Visitor Center or in Springdale and ride the free shuttle in. Outside shuttle season, you can drive the canyon yourself.
💡 No ticket or reservation needed to ride — just your park entrance fee. Shuttles run every 5–10 minutes at peak times.
Shuttle system info ↗
Angels Landing
Permit Required
Lottery-based permit system
Hiking the chain section of Angels Landing requires a permit obtained through a seasonal lottery (plus a day-before lottery). No walk-up access — check current lottery dates before you plan around this hike.
💡 Even with a permit, the final approach is an exposed chain-assisted scramble — not recommended for those uncomfortable with heights.
Angels Landing permit info ↗
Campgrounds3 areas▾
Watchman Campground Reservable ▾
Sites176
SeasonYear-round
NotesUp to 6 months ahead on Recreation.gov
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
South Campground Reservable ▾
Sites124
SeasonMid-March – Oct 31
NotesUp to 14 days ahead on Recreation.gov
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Lava Point Campground Reservable Only ▾
Sites6
Season~May – Sept, weather dependent
NotesRemote, 7,890 ft — no first-come-first-served sites
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Landmarks & Trailheads5 stops▾
Zion Canyon3 stops▾
The NarrowsFlood-dependent
Strenuous · wade the Virgin River through the canyon
Angels LandingVery strenuous
permit required, chain-assisted
~5 mi RT
Emerald PoolsEasy-moderate
waterfalls and pools
1.2–3 mi RT
Kolob & Backcountry2 stops▾
Kolob CanyonsYear-round for cars
Scenic drive · separate entrance off I-15
Kolob Arch TrailStrenuous
one of the world's longest freestanding arches
~14 mi RT
Things to Do7 categories▾
Hiking Trails5 trails▾
Angels LandingPermit
Chain-assisted final pitch along a narrow ridge to sweeping canyon views; permit required via seasonal or day-before lottery
5.4 mi RT · 1,488 ft
The Narrows (Bottom-Up)Strenuous
Wade the Virgin River upstream from Temple of Sinawava; no permit needed for a day hike, closes when flow tops 150 CFS
Up to 10 mi RT
Observation Point (East Mesa)Moderate
Sweeping canyon overlook via the East Mesa route, now the main approach since rockfall closed the Weeping Rock trail
6.8 mi RT · 300 ft
Emerald Pools LoopEasy–Mod.
Waterfalls and pools linking the lower, middle & upper trail segments from Zion Lodge
2.4 mi loop · 350 ft
Watchman TrailModerate
Riverside walk from the Visitor Center climbing to an overlook of the Watchman peak and canyon mouth
3.3 mi RT · 480 ft
Canyoneering2 routes▾
Left Fork / The Subway6–10 hrs · Permit (lottery)
Strenuous bottom-up hiking route or technical top-down descent through sculpted narrows; permit required for both, 12-person max group
Technical Slot CanyonsPermit required
Ropes, rappelling & wetsuit/drysuit gear needed for top-down routes; self-rescue skills required, guiding is not allowed in Zion wilderness
Rock Climbing2 options▾
Day ClimbingNo permit
Big-wall and sport routes throughout the canyon; no permit needed for climbs completed within a day
Overnight BivouacPermit · up to 14 nights
Multi-day big-wall ascents need a wilderness climbing permit; camping at the base of a route is prohibited park-wide
Horseback Riding2 rides▾
Virgin River Ride1 hr · Mid-Mar–Oct 31
Guided one-hour ride along the Virgin River to the Court of the Patriarchs via Canyon Trail Rides
Sandbench Trail Ride3 hr · 500 ft gain
Guided three-hour ride climbing the Sandbench Trail for views of the park's southern end
Biking2 routes▾
Pa'rus TrailEasy
Paved, wheelchair- & pet-friendly path along the Virgin River between the Visitor Center and Canyon Junction
3.5 mi
Zion Canyon Scenic DriveShuttle season
Ride the shuttle route itself when the road is shuttle-only; cyclists must yield to buses and ride single-file
Stargazing & Night SkyExcellent▾
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Zion's canyon walls block some horizon views, but the high plateaus and Kolob Canyons area offer excellent dark-sky viewing away from canyon-floor light. Best on new-moon nights. Bring warm layers — desert nights cool quickly even after hot days. NPS night sky info ↗
River Conditions1 live gauge▾
North Fork Virgin River near Springdale
FlowLoading…
Gauge HeightLoading…
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Concession Information3 locations▾
Zion Lodge3 locations▾
Red Rock GrillYear-round
Sit-down dining
Castle Dome CafeSeasonal
Quick service
Gift ShopYear-round
Books · Gifts
Bird Watching262+ species▾
California Condor
Occasionally soars over the canyon rims
Peregrine Falcon
Nests on the towering sandstone cliffs
Golden Eagle
Hunts above the canyon rims and plateaus
Canyon Wren
Its cascading song echoes through the Narrows
White-throated Swift
Fast, agile flier that nests in cliff crevices
Park Contact Information